Cherold's Place

3 New Quilts

2011-07-25T20:41:00.000-07:00

This quilt is called Serenity...

This is a hospice quilt toward my next year's quota...it was fun to make and I am sure I will use the pattern again!

My sister makes the cutest baby quilts EVER! Here is her latest:

New Quilts

2011-07-24T12:04:00.001-07:00

My sister Francie and Rheaya....too cute. Francie and I made the same pattern...different stashes!! The pattern is from McCalls Quilting magazine. Too much fun.

Rheaya Ann

2011-07-16T10:59:00.001-07:00

Two new pictures of our youngest granddaughter! She has been with us since Wednesday...her parents are camping.

Sisters Quilt Show

2011-07-12T08:47:00.001-07:00

My sister and I went to the Sisters Quilt show this last weekend. It was our second year and I must tell you it was marvelous!! The quilts are too beautiful...so much talent!! Here are a few pictures for you to drool over...lol.

A finish!

2011-06-25T09:53:00.001-07:00

Just finished the binding on this quilt...love it!! I love the bright colors and patterns. Don't think this one is going to find another home...I may keep it right here with me. LOL.

Wow! A whole year!!

2011-06-23T11:16:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it has been an entire year since I posted. What have I been doing??? Not really sure, but plan on getting back into it all now. Hope you will travel this new road with me.

I will be adding new pictures of my quilts and grandchildren (always) and details of my sister's and my travels...please join me!
hugs,

New Quilts!

2010-07-04T12:05:00.001-07:00

Here are pictures of some quilts I've finished lately!

More Finishes!

2010-05-28T22:13:00.001-07:00

My sister Francie, our friend Deana and I made these quilts for some ladies in my DDs church who just needed hugs. I think they came out beautiful and the ladies seemed to enjoy them!!

Quilts for Slain Officer's Families

2010-04-04T13:04:00.001-07:00

My sister Francie, and my friend Deana made 14 quilts for the slain police officer families....my son-in-law, a minister in Parkland WA will deliver them on Monday. Hopefully, the families of these police officers will know we have not forgotten what has been taken from them.

Gone...and probably forgotten!

2010-02-07T11:15:00.000-08:00

I came to visit my blog today...had not realized it had been SO long since I posted....I've missed us! LOL.
Spent most of December in Hawaii with my kids (they moved to Oahu). The picture is of me and Keiki-lani sitting on old lava flow at the volcano on the Big Island. We were there for a week. What a wonderful vacation...Russ and I agreed it was the best ever!! It was so great to see the kids and catch up on their lives. Keiki has grown so very much and is almost 5'10" tall!! She is beautiful...so very alive and smart.
Russ and I have decided on a 5 year plan to retire to live in Kona on the Big Island. We are paying off all bills and will sell the house and most of the furnishings and buy a place there...it is time to think of us and where we want to live out our golden years...hopefully that doesn't mean we will just pee our pants...lol.
Quilting....haven't done a whole lot since returning home...finished binding these 2 quilts for my sis:

Francie makes the cutest quilts...just happy quilts! The large one is for my grandaughter Rheaya Anne and the small one is for Rheaya and/or Malia (Francie's grandaughter) to use for their nap times.
I am going to finish up a birthday block for Gayle on Loose Threads today and will then work on putting together blocks for my sister for a quilt from the Loose Threads ladies. Been sitting on this WAAAAY too long...lol.
Russ and I bought all kinds of junk food yesterday so we can watch the Super Bowl, I can sew and we can graze all day and evening. Have a great day...I promise to be back more often now!

A Finish!

2009-10-04T16:06:00.001-07:00

This is a quilt that Francie made...it is such a HAPPY quilt...love it, love it!

Pumpkin Patch

2009-09-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures from our visit to the Pumpkin Patch today. The kids are my granddaughter Rheaya Ann, Francie's granddaughter Malia Joye and Deana's grandson Joseph! We had such fun...and the grammas are exhausted...LOL.

Tablerunner

2009-09-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

This is the tablerunner Leona Johnson made from the fabrics I sent her. We were part of a swap on the Quilted Table list on Yahoo. This is a gorgeous runner...thank you so much Leona!!

UFO Done!

2009-09-16T12:08:00.001-07:00

Indian Summer is from a Sally Schneider class Deana Cherry and I took many, many years ago. I finally got the blocks put together and Deana quilted it for me...it is done, done, done! It now lives on Francie's sofa.

The Sad Times

2009-08-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my Aunt Ginny died...she was 93 years old, and led a wonderful, fulfilling life. I know (in my head) that she is in a good place with all her family, but my heart aches. She was the last of my Dad's brothers and sisters. Aunt Gladys died in March...I know they are rejoicing today...they are all together again; but I am lonely...but remembering the great times we had over the years. We had the best Aunts and Uncles in the world...they were a huge part of our lives as we were growing up. The Aunts could always make us laugh! I have been truly blessed.

Kitsap County Fair Ribbons!!

2009-08-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

This is my Orange Crush...a mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter! Thank you
so much Bonnie...it got a red ribbon!!

This is a quilt I made for Keiki-lani, our grand daughter! It won a blue ribbon!!

This is my mother-in-law's quilt...it won a blue ribbon! I pieced the
quilts and Deana Cherry quilted them. I am so excited!!!!

One Year Anniversary!!

2009-07-17T18:34:00.001-07:00

The 16th (I have been trying since then to make this post work!) was
one year since my gastric bypass surgery...as of now I have lost 121.4
lbs!!! The picture on the right is me now.

This was me one year ago:

Russ and I have worked very hard at making this work...he has lost 25 lbs (sympathy loss) too. It has truly been a life altering surgery, but worth every minute of the yucky times. I would never recommend this surgery as a first alternative, but as a last resort it can not be beat! Bariatric
bypass surgery is not for the faint of heart...but it is well worth it.

Rheaya and Abigail

2009-06-12T15:55:00.000-07:00

Abigail Marie (8yrs) took this picture of Rheaya...it is soooo beautiful! Abigail has quite
an eye for photography...such a gift! I just LOVE to share photos of my grandkids...the
one of Caleb was taken by his friend on Easter Sunday...is he not the best
looking boy!!!

Kayden's Jacket

2009-06-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

This is Kayden's jacket. Sandy (DD) bought it for Kayden, but
Kayden didn't like it...too plain. So Sandy got some pretties for
Gramma (me) to put on it. Just finished it yesterday...what do you
think...will Kayden (12 yrs) like it?

WINNER!!!

2009-06-08T16:01:00.000-07:00

DRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR(drum roll)....Number 25! Digital Misfit...please email me (cheris56@yahoo.com) with your name and address and your prizes will go in the mail tomorrow! I used the random generator to pick a number. Thank you all for participating in my giveaway.

Sudoko

2009-06-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

This is Kimbra's Sudoko...Kimbra is my cousin's daughter and in March, when Francie
and I were in CA, Kimbra asked us if we would make her a quilt. These are the colors
she picked out!

Trivia

2009-06-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

Go to my new Trivia Game site to play my new daily trivia game. See you there!

Giveaway

2009-06-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

The Creative Director of a new site for sewers, called SEWN. Exciting right? I KNOW. The website will have just about everything you can think of that you would want online as a sewer. There are forums, online advice from industry experts, conversion charts, color wheels, free patterns and class listings.

There will be interviews with all your favorite designers, quilters, patterns makers and authors. There will be tutorials with sewers from here and overseas, podcasts and coverage from shows and articles about all manner of exciting things.

There is a new blog for quilters! Best of all, there are great unique gadgets - Fabricmatcher, which is an online tool which lets you match patterns to fabrics and see what your project will look like without sewing a stitch, and Find Fabric, which is the niftiest thing that will find the fabric you are looking for without you having to search for it for hours on the internet. It's so clever it even searches shops in your vicinity first to save you on international postage. How cool is that?

Plus there will be an online buy and sell area called SEWiNg, which is where you can sell the stuff you sew to the people out there who don't sew - and some of the ones who do :)

Just click on the SEWN button on the left to go this great site. Once there, you can sign up for their giveaway.

To celebrate the SEWN Launch Party, I am giving away 2 handmade postcards and 2 handmade coffee cozies! These are made from my hand dyed fabrics and embellished. Leave me a comment and I will choose a winner on Monday 8 June 2009.

I will close the comments at 4 PM today (Monday 8 June) and draw the winner then...Good Luck!! Sorry it took so long to get a pic posted of the prizes...blogger was NOT being cooperative. LOL

UFO#2 done!

2009-05-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

This is a pic of Emily Anne and Rheaya Ann. They have been spending
the weekend with us!

This is my UFO #2...it is a king sized quilt for my wonderful
mother-in-law Joan. Sure hope she likes it!! Just put the
binding and label on today. It was quilted by my friend Deana Cherry.

The Quilt Pattern Shoppe

2009-05-22T13:50:00.000-07:00

Occasionally, I am asked to review a product or service from a company.
I am paid for my time and professional opinion. When The Quilt Pattern
Shoppe asked me to write about their shop in my blog, I was able to
agree wholeheartedly! I have used their patterns, so am able to
enthusiastically endorse their services.

The Quilt Pattern Shoppe is a great online quilt pattern store. All 200+
patterns on the site are from various pattern designers, and all
patterns are downloadable -- you buy and print your patterns instantly.
I've made a runner from one of their patterns and it went together
beautifully!

There are no shipping charges and you can begin working on
the beautiful patterns immediately. We all know how many $$$
we spend on shipping...save those $$$ so we can buy more online patterns!

Red, White & Blue Swap Runner

2009-05-21T15:47:00.000-07:00

This is my Red, White & Blue swap runner...it will go in the mail on
Tuesday...can't wait to get mine...the swap is with an online group...
The Quilted Table.

Another Finish!

2009-04-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

This is Hugs for Ginger...Ginger is in kidney failure and I thought
she should have a quilt to cuddle with during dialysis. It is made
from hand dye swap blocks from 1996 or so. It was made entirely
from stash...including the binding. Hope is keeps her warm in the
coming months!

Charm Challenge

2009-04-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

This is my April Charm Challenge finish. One of the lists I am on issued a monthly
challenge to use our collection of 5 inch charms. It was fun to make!

UFO #2

2009-03-30T18:34:00.000-07:00

This is my UFO #2...it is a queen sized quilt for my mother-in-law. It is
now more than half done...just 4 more rows and a border to go!! Yippee!!!
Sure hope she likes it.

Home from Vacation

2009-03-19T11:06:00.001-07:00

Jan (DH#1s wife), me and DH#1...

This is me with DH #1...we got OLD!!

This is my granddaughter Kayden Lee and me!

This is Dear Granddaughter Kayden Lee and Gramma and Grandpa!

This is Sandy Lee, me and DH!

This is my beautiful daughter (Sandy Lee) number 1!!!

Babysitting

2009-03-02T13:27:00.001-08:00

Here are Rheaya and George Henry watching Dora. I watch Rheaya on Mon and Fri and my sister, Francie, on Tues and Weds. What fun!

I'm Home from our roadtrip!

2009-02-26T21:13:00.000-08:00

Top left...Earleen (cousin), next Marsha (cousin), next Francie (sister).
Second row: Left Kelly (cousin), next (Mother), next me.

Green Irish Chain

2009-02-10T08:43:00.000-08:00

Finally got this quilt bound and hung in my dining room. I really
like it!! And, I like having a curtain rod hung there so I can change
out the quilt whenever my mood changes.

UFO # 5 DONE!!

2009-01-28T12:22:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of my UFO #5...finished! I finished it up to give
it to my cousin Glenda. Sure hope she likes it...

Orange Crush Finished!

2009-01-22T18:57:00.000-08:00

I finally finished my Orange Crush (Bonnie Hunter Mystery). It sure is
orange!! But you know, I think I like it...yep, I do. I even made a special
label for it and printed it out. Will now go and sew it on.

First UFO finish for 2009!

2009-01-13T15:04:00.000-08:00

This is my first 2009 UFO finish...started it at a quilt retreat last year. Sure feels good to accomplish something!! It is called "Chicken Littles". On one of my lists we have a monthly UFO drawing going. We each made a list of 11 UFOs and the UFO Mom draws a number at the beginning of each month. That is the UFO we work on that month. Works great!

Too Much Fun!!

2009-01-10T18:35:00.001-08:00

My girls, Kearstyn and Rheaya are spending the night with us!!

Blue Skies for Mary

2009-01-08T15:15:00.000-08:00

Just finished this quilt for my DD Melissa Mary. My good friend Deana Cherry free motioned quilted it for me...and she did a GREAT job!!

Molly & Bailey

2008-12-30T08:57:00.000-08:00

Last night Molly & Bailey (our rescue Beagles) were sleeping on the couch...soooo cute, just had to share!

Double Delight

2008-12-30T08:48:00.000-08:00

Here are my choices for Bonnie Hunter's New Year mystery quilt. The fabrics are all from my Christmas stash!!

Our Christmas

2008-12-29T10:51:00.000-08:00

Here are pictures of our tree...Russ had to build a fence to keep George Henry (dog) out of the gifts and ornaments! DGD Rheaya Ann (18 months) loved the gate...she went in and out, touching every ornament she could reach. Plus we didn't care if she took them off the tree! She had a great time.

Dear Granddaughter!!!

2008-12-24T17:36:00.000-08:00

These are picture of one of my beautiful granddaughters, Kayden Lee.

Merry Christmas!

New Quilts

2008-12-22T15:58:00.000-08:00

This is a quilt I made for DD, Sandy and her DH Mike. It is called Sedona Memories. Deana Cherry did a bang up job of quilting it!!

This is the quilt my sister Francie made for her DH for Christmas. I quilted it.

It is truly winter!!!

2008-12-21T13:01:00.001-08:00

This is George Henry in the window...watching the snow fall.

Our little dirt road.

Me, trying to knock snow off my shrubs!

Our dirt road.

Back yard.

The chicken pen...with its one lonely chicken...will get more chickens in the spring.

The back yard.

Russ' truck in the drive way.

The garage.

Front yard...can barely see my metal rooster!!

The side yard.

Quilter Blogs

2008-12-17T08:47:00.000-08:00

There is a great site to find quilter blogs. Please go there to find many, many wonderful quilter blogs and learn what other quilters are up to!!

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

New Quilts

2008-12-02T04:48:00.000-08:00

This is made from stash, except for the backing...I really love making the Irish Chain pattern. I ran out of one of the fabrics, so had to make a design decision...this is the result!

This quilt is made entirely from stash. It is for a friend who battled colon cancer and won!!

This quilt was given to me by the ladies on the Loose Threads list. I was signed up for a block swap with them, but had to cancel because of my surgery. Each of the ladies made an extra block for me and my friend Judy did the quilting...it is truly beautiful!!

Holiday Season!

2008-12-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

It is the Holiday Season and this picture is my way of saying Merry Chirstmas!! My husband said that over the last 10 years (while I was sick), I had lost my sense of fun...I think I've found it again!! Hopefully the picture will not frighten you...lol. :)

Holiday Greetings

2008-11-23T10:32:00.001-08:00

Please send a card to our troops!

LBS Lost!

2008-11-18T16:16:00.000-08:00

I went to see my surgeon today and I have now lost 73 pounds!!! I'm down 4 sizes, and feel 100% better...like my old self! I am almost half way to my goal. Life is good.

Give Away!!

2008-11-12T11:39:00.000-08:00

Dana, of the Old Red Barn Co. blog is having a give away...three of the most beautiful quilts I've ever seen. Jut click on "blog" to get to her wonderful blog with the give away rules! Here is a picture of my favorite quilt!

Weigh-In Day!

2008-11-03T12:32:00.000-08:00

Russ and I weighed in today...he is down a total of 25.4 lbs and I'm down 64.5 lbs!! Yay for us!!! :):)

I've been busy getting ready to go to a quilt retreat on Thursday am...can't wait...so excited. I don't really have any quilts for show and tell, most of my bed sized quilts left the house right after coming back from the quilter's! LOL. But I do have a bunch of placemats and table runners finished, so guess those will have to do.

Several Finishes

2008-10-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I finished the binding on the last of the 4 quilts Francie brought to me...and bound the runners for her and Old Auntie for Christmas. Yeah!!! Also finished my greedy gift for retreat, a Christmas wall hanging.

This is the Christmas wall hanging, "Christmas Pines".

This is Old Aunties Christmas present...hope she likes it!

This is Francie's...and I know she likes it, cause I showed it to her!

This is a fall runner I made and put on my Etsy store to sell...probably won't sell tho...so far only 2 postcards have sold.

Quilts, Quilts, Quilts

2008-10-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

I have been working like a speed demon making quilted Christmas presents. So far I have 2 table runners and 1 (6) set placemats for my son and daughter-in-law; 1 (4) set placemats and 2 quilts for daughter #1 and husband; 5 sets (4) Christmas placemats for Russ's staff and boss, and 2 runners for my sister and auntie ready to quilt. Francie (sis) dropped 4 quilts off yesterday for me to bind...and I have one quilt of mine that Francie sandwiched and I need to quilt. Whew!!!

I started an Etsy store for some postcards, cup sleeves and a couple of runners. So far I have sold 1 postcard...hopefully business will pick up. LOL. :):)

Russ and I weighed in last week and he is down almost 20 lbs, and I'm down 53 lbs. Tried to get a new picture, but both looked like I ate small children for snacks! :)

Christmas Presents

2008-09-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

This set of placemats are not Christmas presents...I made them just because for my sister, Francie.

These are all Christmas presents for my son Jim and his wife Cathy. Hope they like them!

Table Runner & Placemats

2008-09-14T19:51:00.001-07:00

I finished a set of six placemats and a matching runner for my daughter Melissa. She picked out the fabrics (4 packs of 5 inch charms). I think they came out pretty.

I'm On a Roll!!

2008-09-05T20:49:00.001-07:00

This quilt is from a Flower Pot Swap on Pat Sloan's Swap list. I added 3 blocks of my own and it is ready to go to its new home. There is a lady veteran in my daughter Melissa's church who I believe needs to know someone appreciates the job she did, and the sacrifices she made. It will be a good fit.

Another Finish!

2008-09-02T18:27:00.001-07:00

I finished the binding on this quilt today and added the label. It is for a veteran in my middle daughter's church...I'm hoping he won't notice that I turned some of the blocks wrong...someday I will make a perfect quilt.
EDIT: The pattern is from Bonnie Hunter's site, Quiltville.com. It is called Boxy Stars.

Grandbaby and a Finish!

2008-09-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to pulling fabrics for Bonnie Hunter's newest mystery, Old Tobacco Road. Other people are working on the quilt already...not me. Maybe next week I can start.

This is a quilt I finished for my eldest daughter, Sandy Lee...I can't think of a name for it...any ideas??? It came back from the longarm quilter last week.
EDIT: Linda left a comment...she suggested Shangri La...which is the name of line of fabric...great idea!!! Thank you.

This is Rheaya Ann...she spent 3 days with us a couple of weeks ago...Isn't she just the cutest! Rheaya is our youngest of 11 grandchildren (10 girls, one boy). Her day care people have taught her to point at her left palm to tell you when she is hungry...too adorable!

Francie's Quilt

2008-08-21T16:13:00.000-07:00

This is a baby quilt my sister Francie, just finished. Isn't it adorable!?! I told her it is a happy quilt.

Wall Hanging

2008-08-18T10:14:00.000-07:00

I finished this small wall hanging yesterday...the fabrics are my hand dyes. The background fabric has paint sticks rubbed over a template. Then I embellished with beads and crystals. It was a fun piece to make...it is for my sister, Francie.

Another Day, Another Pound

2008-08-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

Russ and I weighed in yesterday, another 5 lbs for him and another 10 lbs for me! We are doing so well, except Russ says he is starving to death! :):)!

I added a weight loss ticker for him...under the clock.

I am able to see my face emerging from the yuck...it is a good thing.

Finally...a Finish!

2008-08-08T10:34:00.001-07:00

I finally finished something! I made 12 postcards...six of them are already in the mail and no pictures. But here are the last six. They are my hand dyes with foiled pears. I free motioned (not well) quilted around them and then decided they were a bit flat. So added some crystals to jazz them up. The borders are again, hand dyes cut with a wavy rotary cutter blade, fused down and stitched down the middle.

I also finally got the borders on my Orange Crush quilt...nothing like being slow :)
I ran out of border fabric so had to make a design decision (fix a mess up) on the top border. I think it worked out just fine! I will post a picture when I can.

New Diet

2008-08-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

Last night for dinner I had 1/8th cup of tuna with a tiny amount of mayo and 2 T of unsweetened applesauce with raspberry...LIFE IS GOOD!! I know it must sound as though I am focusing on food, but that really hasn't happened. I have no appetite, but have to eat...to eat something that tastes good goes a long way in keeping me eating.

Doctor Visit

2008-08-01T15:15:00.001-07:00

Went to the doctor appt today and all is well. I have lost 22.5 lbs since July 16...and the best thing they have upped my diet to puree!! Life is good.

Surgery

2008-07-25T17:16:00.000-07:00

Well, the surgery is over and I have been home since Saturday. I'm doing very well...can even get up out of my recliner on my own. My sister came over today and said I looked better than prior to the surgery! Personally, I attribute it to the drugs...:) I don't go back to see the surgeon until Aug 1st and hopefully he will take the staples out then.

I've been in my sewing room, but am unable to focus enough to even finish working on a project...maybe next week.

Table Runners

2008-07-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

I have been going crazy making table runners...instant gratification!! I buy those 5 inch charms packs and voila! a table runner. LOL. Here are a couple of them.

Pink Hugs 2

2008-07-13T14:23:00.000-07:00

This is a quilt for a lady who works with Russ...she has cancer, so we thought she might like this quilt. This is the Bonnie Hunter New Years Day Bargello quilt that I made. It's taken me this long to quilt and bind it.

Bailey & Molly

2008-07-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

Here are Bailey and Molly lying on the deck in the sun...they are TOO cute!!

Bariatric Surgery

2008-07-02T15:56:00.000-07:00

I have my surgery date...16 July...I am truly scared to death...but afraid if I don't have the surgery, I WILL die...so here I am.

I will be having the surgery in Seattle at the Virginia Mason facility...they seem to be a great bunch of professionals.

I registered at Susan Maria's website and am looking forward to 'meeting' people and learning from them and their experiences.

Flower Pot Swap

2008-06-19T13:39:00.001-07:00

Here are pictures of my Flower Pot Swap blocks (Pat Sloan Swap list)...I really like them, but not sure the swap mom will accept them, as the background does not read solid. We will see.

Purple Sudoko & Orange Crush

2008-06-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

This is my Orange Crush Mystery quilt...sure is ORANGE! Not real sure how much I like it...lol. I'm still working on the borders...not sure what or how much!

Well...darn it all...now that I see the picture, there is a mistake...one of the four patches is turned the wrong way...can I live with it????........YES!

Here is a picture of Purple Sudoko, just finished it last night. It is for my grandaughter Emily...she says it matches her room. The green sashing strips are vintage from a lady my daughter Melissa knows.

Miss Molly

2008-06-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Molly...she is doing great and we have found the happy dog we all knew was in her! She is truly a sweet little thing...and loves to run and jump all over our fenced yard. Thank you all for your caring about our little Molly.

This is Miss Molly and Bailey all snuggled up and napping. Verrry happy dogs!!

New Quilts!

2008-06-07T14:39:00.000-07:00

Here are two quilts just back from the longarm quilter. I put the binding on them today. Russ waited 3 years for me to make his duck quilt...lol. This quilt is huge...the largest quilt I've made to date. I really like the single irish chain pattern. Our beagle, Bailey seems to like it too...lol! I'll make more of these!

Orange Crush

2008-05-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

I finished a Sudoko quilt for my grandaughter Arianna...it is named Just Peachy.

I also finished Step 4 on the Orange Crush...and am working on Step 5. I can't wait to see everybody's version.

Paperback Book Swap

2008-05-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

I never knew that if I refer people to paperback book swap (see the side bar for an logo...just click on it), I get extra points. I thought you might be interested in this site, http://www.PaperBackSwap.com . It's an online book swapping club for book lovers all over the country. If you want to find out more, just click the link below and it takes you to an interactive demo that explains how things work.

http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/how_to_swap_books.php

If you do join the club, please put my email in the referral section because then I get another free book!

CheriS56@yahoo.com

Hope to see you at PBS soon!

Finished!!

2008-05-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of my finished piece. I truly love it. Ellen Lindner, thank you sooo very much for a great class!

Retreat

2008-05-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

I was at a quilt retreat over the weekend...what fun. Most of the ladies were from my Loose Threads list, and my daughter, Melissa, and friend, Deana went with me. A great time was had by all.

My only accomplishment was to almost catch up with my Orange Crush Mystery...!! Yah!!

Ellen Lindner Class

2008-05-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures of the top from the class. The first one is the whole top, the second is a close up. I used Shiva Paint Stiks and many, many beads. Too much fun!!

I've been taking Ellen Lindner's 'Instant Art Quilt' online class for the last two weeks. It is a GREAT class and Ellen is right there (online) to help, suggest and cheer us on. Another fantastic online class. I'm not ready to post a picture yet, but will as soon as I get to the quilting stage (I'm pretty close lol).

Bailey & Molly

2008-05-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

Bailey and Molly are our beagles...they came from the Cascade Beagle Rescue in Portland. Her prior owner was a breeder...he bred her until she couldn't get pregnant again, then put her in the back yard and fed and watered her whenever. When we adopted Molly, we had hoped her pain would end...it was not to be so. We have only had Molly for 2 weeks...yesterday she went in for major surgery. She had a hernia repair done prior to our adopting her...I think her vet pretty much botched it. It was so bad our vet had to ask another vet to scrub and help her so Molly wouldn't be under anesthesia quite so long. She is fine now and back home with us, but must stay in a crate for 2 weeks to keep her down so she doesn't damage the site. She is so very sweet and good natured...she deserved so much more than she got. When I look at her in the crate, my heart aches. Bailey is on the left and Molly on the right.

Lilacs in Bloom

2008-04-21T19:07:00.001-07:00

I made this quilt over the weekend...it came out pretty well.

Carolina Pinks!!!

2008-04-21T19:02:00.000-07:00

It is finally back from the longarm quilter.

New Piece

2008-04-15T15:00:00.001-07:00

Finished this on Sunday...sure was fun to make! It measures 13" x 15".

Terri Stegmiller's Daisy Doodles Class

2008-04-08T17:09:00.000-07:00

It is finished!!! Here is my version...what a great class. I recommend it to all!! This was an online class...about the only way I take classes...I learned soooo much. Thank you Teri!! This is her blog... http://stegart.blogspot.com/ This is where I signed up for her class.

Orange Crush Start

2008-04-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

Well, here are my choices for OC. I need to think of a name for mine...the fabric on the far left is for my borders. I bought all new fabrics for this mystery...used only stash on the CC mystery and really enjoyed it...but wanted new for this one. LOL.

Below are my 4 patches...they are gold and purple...the color in the picture isn't true.

Pink Hugs

2008-04-01T22:12:00.001-07:00

I finished this quilt today. It is for my newest daughter-in-law, Teresa. Sure hope she likes it!

Photos

2008-03-31T14:33:00.000-07:00

The red and white is a Christmas mat...no pattern. The next one is made of leftover strips from the quilt top I made for Russ...it is at the long arm quilter.

Here are photos of some of the quilt tops I've finished in the last 2 months. The first one is for my granddaughter Arianna...it is a Sudoko quilt. The next one is a disappearing 9 patch for granddaughter Kearstyn and the last is a bargello for ???.

Out of Town

2008-03-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

I've been in Tacoma visiting my daughter and her family. Russ is coming for me tomorrow...I think I'm ready to be home. I miss Russ, the dogs and my sewing room!

I will take pictures of the various quilt tops I have made over the last couple of months...I have been very, very busy. Also made 4 table runners...they are completely finished.

Went to JoAnns today and bought fabrics for Bonnie Hunter's second mystery quilt...the fabrics are gorgeous! Melissa and Emily (DGD) helped me choose them. They truly have an eye for color and pattern. I will take pictures of them when I get home.

We finished Emily's bedroom curtains (boy, what a pain that was! The fabric was silky, slippery stuff, but they sure look great in her room.

Malia Joy

2008-03-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

I made this over the weekend...for my sister's birthday present. Malia is my sis's first grandbaby and my first great niece.

Sew Along Weekend!!

2008-03-08T08:46:00.000-08:00

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Boy Am I Tired!

2008-03-07T09:32:00.001-08:00

Sure wish whatever is going on would just stop! I have been waking up between 3:00AM and 3:30 AM, and not able to go back to sleep. So I get up and go into my sewing room, turn on the TV or stero and sew. This AM I bound a charity quilt, cut out and pieced a table runner. This afternoon I hope to sandwich and quilt it.

Not sure why this is happening...is is part of the aging process? Possible...but I do know, I don't like it!!

Table Runners

2008-03-06T16:14:00.000-08:00

I finished these runners today...I really like them. They are made from precut 5" squares. Can't beat it!

Dear Jane Blocks

2008-02-28T12:59:00.000-08:00

I finished some more Dear Jane blocks...I think I'll redo block A-3...hopefully better! I'm having a lot of fun doing these blocks...my applique skills should be much better by the time the quilt top is finished...lol.

Runner & Dear Jane blocks

2008-02-23T17:42:00.000-08:00

I ripped out the first (green) block...TWICE! I guess I can live with it now. Block #2 came out pretty well, if I do say so myself...lol.

The runner is quilted and bound and I appliqued some of the flowers on it. Melissa (DD#2) came today and likes it, so it now has a new home...lol!

I've Been Tagged!

2008-02-22T10:21:00.001-08:00

I have never been tagged before! I was tagged by Tracy at Tis the Gift to list 7 weird or random things about me... Here are the rules.

THE RULES:
1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post THE RULES on your blog.
3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 people and link to them.
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

Here we go...

1. Russ is my THIRD husband...and we have been married for 32 years. My friend set us up on a blind date...and I was hooked! He has been a great husband, father and now grandfather...my best friend.

2. Our children (there are 5) live all over. Sandy Lee is married (20 yrs) to a retired Navy Senior Chief and lives in Lakeside CA; Jimmy is married (20 yrs) and lives in Japan (active duty Master Chief (Navy); Melissa is married (14 yrs) to a minister and lives in Tacoma, WA; Doug is newly married (2 yrs) and lives in Seabeck WA; and Jesseca is married (13 yrs) and lives in Middletown OH.

3. Every summer, when I was a child, my Aunts and Uncles would rent several camp sites at Lake Berryessa and we kids would just stay up there most of the summer. We stayed with whoever was there and our parents would come up for the weekends and then their vacations. What a great way to spend the summers!!

4. I was in a car accident in 1981 in Port Hueneme CA. I suffered a fairly severe concussion and it took a couple of years for me to come back completely. I now am disabled because the concussion has now caused me to have stability problems (I fall over) and if I am tired or stressed, I (once again) am partially aphasic and have serious problems thinking straight. Sometimes I cannot, for the life of me, think how to put together a quilt block I have been working on for some time.

5. I used to read a book a week, but now it takes me a couple of months to get through a paperback book.

6. We live in WA State on 2 1/2 acres with our 3 dogs, 2 cats and assorted chickens. Our home is a retirement home for all animals...even the chickens die of old age. LOL! All animals on our property are protected!

7. I am a FABRICOLIC! I love all fabrics and love to collect them for my stash. I have been working on using my stash and have actually been doing pretty well with it.

Now I tag...

Deb..Tazzie..Lynda..Andrea..MsJan..Judy..Mare

Runner & First Dear Jane Block

2008-02-20T16:01:00.000-08:00

I made my first Dear Jane Block at 0'Dark-30 this am. Couldn't sleep, so got up and hand pieced this block...A-1. After finishing this one, I cut out A-2 and it is all ready to be pieced. Is anyone else out there handpiecing their Dear Janes?

The blue runner I finished last weekend...and Russ spilled wax on it...but I still like it!

Runner Finished

2008-02-19T17:48:00.001-08:00

The top is done...sure was fun to make. Also finished another runner out of blues...but Russ spilled candle wax on it last night...so no picture!

Sunday Stashbusting Report (on Monday)

2008-02-11T10:42:00.000-08:00

I made 6 Sewing Machine Thingees this last week...that is 12 fat quarters from stash! Will post a picture later today. Also, yesterday I worked on machine quilting my Sudoko quilt for DD#1. Almost finished it! Made 2 more pot holders (out of leftover strips) to match the little mat pictured below. It was a very productive week!

Sewing Machine Thingee

2008-02-01T12:02:00.000-08:00

Sorry it took me so long to get this typed up...this flu has had me down for several days! Enjoy!!

`SEWING MACHINE THINGIE (COPYRIGHT)
Pattern by Darla Keller

I give credit for this idea to one of my fellow Quilting Queens, Nancy S. She was making one at a recent in-town mini-retreat and I had to have one. Here's how I made it:

SUPPLIES:
**Two coordinating FQs (great use of conversational fabric you bought and don't know what to do with)
**Left over batting same size as FQ (can piece small leftover pieces together)
**About 85" of 2-1/2" strips from my leftovers to coordinate with FQ (make into binding)
**Thread to match the colors in each FQ

INSTRUCTIONS:
Sandwich the 2 FQs and batting. Decide which will be the back (makes the fold-up flap piece on front). If fabric is directional print, be sure and check that the front and back fold-up piece will look the way you want it to. I prefer to fol up the longer side of the fat quarter for a couple extra inches it gives, but did it both ways. If using directional print fabric, FQ may need to be positioned differently. I didn't do anything to hold the Q sandwich together as it's so small; just smoothed out the fabric on both sides so no creases or pleats. You could iron it so they stick together well, if you are worried about it. I only did it on the first two and then skipped after that.

Quilt as desired. Use thread that matches the back in the bobbin. I did straight line quilting about every 3". Good small piece to practice free motion or a quilt pattern you are thinking about using on a quilt. However, I just wanted them done, so did the easiest thing--channel quilting.

Square up cute little FQ quilt. I just trimmed the edges so all was even; doesn't really matter what size this is once done.

Apply binding (try one of those techniques you thought sounded interesting that have been posted recently). I preferred sewing onto the front with a 1/4" seam; iron binding towards the outside edge. Apply Steam-a-Seam 2 (1/4" role) on back side right along the edge and iron binding down so it is secure. From the right side, I used my stitch-in-the-ditch foot to quilt right in the well of the binding seam. This method sews the back side of the binding down too. If you don't have S-a-S, you could use a fabric glue, to temporarily hold back of binding in place. Or, you could do that dreaded pinning technique.

Turn up about 4" of backing side to front side. Machine stitch right along the binding on both edges. Be sure to back stitch at both top and bottom of the seam. I started my line of stitching right under the binding. Place piece on your rotary mat, lined up with a cutting line. Use a marking tool and mark straight lines wherever you want your pockets to be. I found I liked a 2" channel for my scissors and other miscellaneous tools; a 1" channel about in the middle for a pen; and a 4" channel on the far left side for my quilting gloves. Do whatever works for you...it's your "thingee". And, you're done!!

Lift up your sewing machine and put the "thingee" under it. Fill with your favorite tools. I haven't had to look for my scissors or EZ Bob all day. Yippee!!

You may 'pay it forward' and share this pattern with your friends.
Darla in St Paul, MN

Sunday update

2008-01-30T00:45:00.000-08:00

I forgot to do the Sunday fabric update...I made a Table Mat and matching hot pads from stash. Also, I fell off the fabric wagon...I ordered fat quarters of a new collection by Pat Sloan...but I WILL use it! I have the cut the strips needed for the weekend bargellobowl...can't wait! It will be pink...I seem to be on a pink streak. LOL.